Facilities and Construction Committee - Regular Meeting

Welcome to the Facilities Construction Committee meeting of Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, at its earlier time of 2.49. Very exciting, folks. I'll call the meeting to order. Before we get started, I'd like to name the committee membership. I am your chair. Dr. Mendigal is our vice chair. Members are Dr. Santos, Geller. Alternates are Gallin and Alonzo. Ex-officials, Rojas, Colucci. I'm sorry, Board Member Blanco, you're not voting. Thank you. First order of business to approve the minutes of Wednesday, August 6th, facility committee meeting. Can I have a motion, please? Do I have a second? All in favor? Right into it's a short agenda today. Hello, Mr. Perez.

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Board.

You're going to get it light duty today, F80. F80.

F80 is authorization to approve the prequalification of contractors for educational facilities construction.

Questions, comments, concerns, colleagues? Do I hear a second?

Second.

All in favor? Aye. All right, that concludes the F items. Thank you. I don't know, do we dismiss you? Anyway, I'm kidding. H6. Of course. Item H6, Board Member Alonzo.

All right, Board Member Spino, I'm going to hope to make you the quickest committee today and get real quick through this one. School board history. Fellow board members, I bring together forward to you all today an item that to me is important that we do, especially in all the discussions we've been having recently regarding our assets, regarding changes being made, as well as the financial implications whenever we are repurposing buildings. This board item, which I'm bringing today, really kind of builds off of a board item that was brought to this board back at August 15th of 2022, when the board approved item H-9, which was sponsored by Dr. Steve Gallen, which amended policies governing public-private partnerships and unsolicited proposals. That framework enhanced oversight of strategic partnerships. Building on this foundation, this board item today should expand on those policies to specify, address the planning use, reuse and repurposing of our district assets. As controllers of property with school plan approval responsibilities under State Statute 1001.42, Florida statute, the board has the duty to provide stronger oversight, particularly in light of the shifting demographics that substantially impact our schools and our facilities. Recent demographic fluctuations requiring careful oversight that we talked about include populations declines in some areas and increases in others, urban revitalization, enrollment changes due to expanded choice options, and shift in Florida's inventory of schoolhouses capacity and utilization. Our board policy should ensure that such impacts are regularly reviewed and when applicable brought before the board for approval. This item today directs the superintendent in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel to review our current board policies, procedures and updates regarding the planning, use, reuse and repurposing of school board owned property to ensure educational alignment, financial responsibility and transparency practices. Quarterly updates will ensure the board remains fully aware of any repurposing activity and its financial implications on this district. And in turn, the findings of these recommendations should be presented to us on the November 12th, 2025 Facilities and Construction Committee meeting. The goal of this board item was to continue to bring transparency and vision to any changes that are being done. And as it's always been said, at the end of the day, should and always should be involved in any decisions when it comes to the repurposing of any of our school buildings, and they should always be prioritized for educational uses. So that is my board item that I bring forward today, and I'm opening to any questions, and I look forward to having the support of my fellow board members.

Thank you, Board Member Alonzo. I'll start off by saying thank you for the item and for the contribution to this discussion that Board Member Gallin has contributed to, Board Member Colucci, Board Member Santos. I know I've been talking about it as well. One question, if I may, to you is whether you would be amenable to, instead of presenting the fightings on November 12th, to presenting it during the educational enterprise workshop that we're doing. Because I see the cross-section between figuring out what educational enterprise from an operational perspective means and what it means to leverage our assets and potentially bring it all together at one time. I think it would be good information to have going into that meeting.

Absolutely. And honestly, if we could have it beforehand so we can review it, it would be great. And I'm sure you guys all saw it was for informational purposes. I shared with the board an email that I sent to staff requesting a report as well of all repurposed buildings that are out there and any that have been changed, because I think it's important for us to know all these different changes or any that are in the planning stages right now for us to be aware of them before we go into your meeting. So Completely amendable and I'll make that change. I think it's a smart one so that then we can all discuss it at that meeting.

Great.

Colleagues, any other comments?

Yes, Board Member Gallin.

Through the chair, I think everybody's, I know you probably, you sit close to me, so you are looking on my paper. I was going to say the same thing. Great item. I think all of the items that build upon the position that we took in 2022 to really frame how we contemplate and utilize our properties is a continued and robust conversation. I would again be remiss if I did not acknowledge Board Member Spino and the initiative for the inclusive, broad conversation around this particular issue. We're bringing different ones, but I think at some point we have to wrap it up. in terms of a comprehensive, inclusive, unified conversation and a unified set of protocols and direction for the superintendent. Because having been a superintendent, you might get direction to do this, you might get direction to do that, get direction to do that, when all of them are important, but all of them can come under one umbrella. So I was looking forward to the enterprise meeting, because that will at some point bring this in for a landing. And I'm just saying personally that we don't continue to have to have a set of protocols and one offs and two offs of this. So I'm glad he raised that issue. And if you could incorporate that in that particular in the recommend, I was going to recommend through the chair, including in that discussion for recommend to include in the enterprise The meeting that was scheduled for Enterprise included that particular provision in that discussion. So it's just kind of a unified conversation. At some point, when are we having that meeting through the chair? 1028. 1028.

I believe that's the date, right? 1028?

OK, so maybe at 1028, we could wrap it up. We could bring it all together and include that. So I just think that'll be something to be included in that so that we could at least have a unified conversation. Because I can tell you, the more we resurrect these issues in a way that is perceived as nine different ways, and at some point we come with one unified strategy, which all of this is important. So that's my only recommendation. Cosponsor the item at the appropriate time. I support it. But I think a reference for inclusion in that particular conversation would be very appropriate. And that would be an amendment that I would make, but you're already amenable to it based on what Board Member Spino said, and that satisfies my concern. Thank you.

Thank you. Board Member Geller. Great item, and I also want to cosponsor it at the appropriate time. Board Member Santos?

Thank you so much, Board Member Espino, and I'll echo that there's been tons of... highlighting the importance of this conversation and the importance of this board coming together to really approve a set of guidelines. And so I'm excited that we finally have a date for this workshop. We got it today and we got multiple workshop dates today. And so whatever everyone ate for breakfast, please have that every day. Wheaties. That's what my team said. They ate their Wheaties today. But on this topic, I know we have received the constant updates over email on the Educational Enterprise Asset Framework. And as far back as July, one of the action items on those updates was that internal staff was refining a logic model, which is basically kind of like which metrics are you gonna be looking at, how are you gonna decide, guard rails, and then use that to make decisions that are objective and based on criteria. That was back in July. We're in September. By October, I'm sure there will be a draft presented, but can you give us an update on where we are? Because that was included in many updates, the internal logic model for the, so many jargony words, educational enterprise asset framework. Through the chair, can staff answer, please?

Yeah, through the chair, Board Member Santos, so yes. The team has been working on a dashboard with a number of data points. That dashboard is pretty much at this point almost completed. It did go through some refinement, continues to go through some refinement, and the information, the algorithm type of questions that we're asking for it to bring back a particular facility, not a name of a school, but a school from all the data points that it has. So we're at the point now, I think, where we're getting ready to maybe even, I think that's part of the presentation for the asset committee in October.

Thank you, through the chair. A dashboard can be very different from a logic model. And those are not my words. That's what you guys chose to call it. But it makes sense to me. A logic model is where we had our initial workshop where the board gave some guidelines on our metrics. I didn't feel like that was a final conversation. That felt like an initial discussion point of what's important to us. What should we consider including? And then these updates and the internal team continue to refine that, and in that update, you called it a logic model, which is, and maybe that's what the dashboard does. It says, it gives you, based on a set of assumptions, some decision-making abilities through modeling in it. That's what I've requested, and again, I shared last time, I can go back in my internal notes, way back, is that going to be ready? I just want to put on the record today that by our October workshop, we are going to have access to that logic model so that we can give final input on it and start using it for our decision making with board approval and staff consensus through the chair.

Through the chair, board member Santos, yes, I believe that. is ready at this point.

Thank you, great. I just wanna make sure that we are able to have a productive conversation and agree to some form of framework for how we're moving forward so that now instead of wondering project by project or being surprised or saying we didn't get to put our input, it will be very clear using the metrics. Thank you so much, and I fully support your item.

Thank you, Board Member Santos. Board Member Alonso, you wanted to follow up? Just to follow up to Mr. Harvey, because I know he'll be doing the legal review. Our meeting is the 28th. We'd like to have it a few days. If a delivery date of October 24th was given, is that going to give your team as well as district staff time to be able to get us back a report before the meeting on the 28th through the chair?

Certainly at I think we can work on that. I don't want to speak for staff, but I think we could do it if we need to. I don't want to.

I just want to say that those nervous giggles are very reassuring. You know what, Board Member Alonso? I say throw the gauntlet down and see what happens. All right. Any further comment? Do I have a motion? Oh, I'm sorry. Madam Chair, go ahead.

Let me just make a very quick comment, thank you. Board Member Alonso, thank you so very much for bringing this item forth and to Board Member Espino and Gallin and everybody who's been involved in this process in the past, I think everybody here has to some degree. But Board Member Alonso, being proactive is so important and I love number two, especially your recommend number two, because I feel that it is absolutely imperative to know what is a financial implication for the district when we're gonna be repurposing, you know, any of our facilities or anything like that. So this is an important one. I'm happy to see this one very much so. And I, I also like the fact that you're requesting the quarterly updates to be given to the board because that keeps us on track as to where we are with so many different situations that are taking place very rapidly. So I would like to be a co-sponsor to the item, but I just wanted to bring out the point, especially on two, and the proactiveness of this particular item is very, very important. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. A motion for co-sponsorship?

Move it. Second.

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Okay, in between motions, go ahead.

Through the chair, I just want clarification. What is the date that we promised?

10-24.

We appreciate your willingness to accept that. 10-24, that is fine, thank you.

Motion to approve the item as amended.

All in favor? Aye. Thank you so much.

New business, monthly update on board authorized assessment.

Mr. Chair, the memo dated August 28th was provided to the board regarding an update on the downtown assemblage and I-PREP relocation, and pretty much the presentation of this will be made at the upcoming October committee meeting.

Thank you. Any questions, colleagues? Facilities and Maintenance Comprehensive Update.

The Facilities and Maintenance Comprehensive Update, Mr. Chair, was provided with the committee packet. If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Board Member Alonzo, you had a comment? It's on new business once we're ready for new business. Okay, no problem. Office of Education and Economic Access Update.

Through the Chair, our report was transmitted to the Board, and if there's any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Great. Comments?

Seeing no comments, new business? So a new business, I just wanted to bring it up for discussion with the board because it was a concern to me when I sat down, and by the way, thank you, Raul, for sitting down, going over all the capital projects and really going over my district, but one thing that caught me was somewhat of a surprise but also a concern was about a $5 million line item for the SBAB building, this building that we're in, on refurbishments and work that's going to continue happening here when we know that there is an end to life coming pretty soon, and to in the world that we're living today to continue to invest in a building. We just saw a large expenditure in elevators that aren't even functioning at the rate that they should be functioning to put another $5 million into this building while we have schools and other properties that really need help. was somewhat of a concern for me. So I wanted to get feedback from my fellow board members on, you know, if the majority of us feel that we should invest $5 million a year, then we should. But I thought it was a large number when we're looking at, you know, a possible end of life in the next couple years to be invested into this building. So I just wanted to open that up as a new business, being that we can't discuss off this dais and see what the rest of the board had as their, you know, purview on this and their view on it.

Thank you, Board Member Alonso, and just to also interject a comment that I think we had talked about not doing windows and doors last year, and I don't think that made it in there, so I certainly echo your sentiments, yeah. Any other comments on that?

Yes, sir, I do, but I believe, I think he wanted to speak first, to respond.

Of course, Mr. Guadalupe, please proceed. Through the Chair, we had a meeting, myself, Dr. Lewis, Mr. Niccolo, and Mr. Perez, and you are correct with the $5 million, Mr. Alonso. What we agreed upon was basically, unless directed otherwise, that it would be for safety to life, envelope issues, structural issues, but nothing more than that.

um obviously unless directed by the board to the superintendent so just a point of clarification this is just uh in case something happens money that if we don't need it let me still no i believe they have safety they it's the envelope so leaks through the windows and so it will lead to i guess the question is i mean at what point does facilities become maintenance right a facility improvement becomes a maintenance issue um and so you know we have this issue in schools too where It's a pot of money in case something happens, but it's not like a new capital improvement, like we're going to do the windows and doors again. So I guess you want to clarify, Mr. President?

Yes. Through the chair, it is an allocation, and it's in the next capital year, in the 26-27 year. And again, it's to address some deficiencies that we already have on this particular complex that need to be addressed, some safety to life, some structural, some water intrusion, like on the roof. So there are some of these dollars will go to some of those types of renovations that have to take place.

And these can't be pushed off? They're critical? Mm-hmm.

At this point, they're critical.

I feel you. How do you respond to something that's critical for a building? Yes, Madam Chair.

Yes, so I shouldn't have let Bueno speak first because he said exactly what I was going to say. You all recall that the structural integrity of our buildings, including this one, had to be a priority because, God forbid, if we don't make that part a priority, something horrible could occur. here or in any other building and safety to life we have no choice on safety to life we have to do but i concur with a concern um stated by board member alonzo that you know it anything other than like luxury and and other issues absolutely not we should not spend one penny on that now we all have to recall that we started this process of selling this building What year was it, Dr. Gallin? I already forgot. What was it, 17? 17. We've been at this for all these years, and nothing has occurred. So we can't let the building crumble either because we have staff. and personnel that work here, but it has to be very, very carefully assessed, and I know that Mr. Perez does a superb job, as does Mr. Niccolo, and they're both like the Bobsy twins, right? Because if it's not a maintenance-related issue, and there's no money in maintenance, then we go to GOB or vice versa, but the bottom line is that those I mean, we've been at this for years. And who knows how many more years we're going to be at this. And I don't want to put any of our employees at risk. Their safety is a number one priority. But again, not something that is for luxury and that, you know, aesthetically making it beautiful. No. But you do have to maintain, especially the fact that the integrity issues here of this, this is a very old, how many years is this building?

Through the chair, I believe this particular, No, the hub was built earlier, I think like in the early 70s. This particular building on this side was built like in the early 80s, 1980.

In the early 80s, okay. So it's been a lot of years already. So the structural integrity is definitely a priority and the safety to life. But thank you for bringing it forth, Board Member Alonso, because obviously we have to look at every cent that is being spent and not wasted. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Any further comments on new business?

Thank you. I wanted to add my two cents, as I've been very clear on the record, saying that I think every dollar spent here, unless really putting someone's life at risk, is a dollar being spent. in my opinion, not strategically spent, because we have tremendous need in our schools, we have tremendous needs in our classrooms, which we protect at all cost, and we, I wish it was moving faster, but there's a plan and a clear exit strategy from this building, so we know this is not our forever home, and I have a hard time telling a school, There is $5 million here. Now, if you tell me, look, if we don't invest $5 million, this building crumbles next year, okay, it is what it is. As Board Member Spino said, safety to life, you can't rebuke that. Can you please, as you expend the dollars for this specific building, I think it is important, you've heard from the board, that you share out, and really, frankly, I'd like to be informed on what these safety to life issues are. and how they're gonna be addressed. You have up to five million, doesn't mean you'll spend all five million, but are there projects that have been costed out that add up to five million for addressing the current needs through the chair?

Through the chair, we do have a project that's underway now in design that is addressing the water intrusion and the roofing. It depends. We're reevaluating that project as it relates to the window installations because of all the feedback and not do the window installation and maybe just see if there's an alternate method of sealing the windows. So that's being looked at now by the engineers, which would reduce the cost immensely. I don't recommend replacing the windows in this building at all. Just from the logistics, the cost, not only the cost, but the logistics and the disruption of removing that entire skin off of this building is going to affect all offices surrounding pretty much all three sides of this building. So we're going back to look at that, and that should bring the cost of the project down considerably.

Thank you, but through the chair, I asked specifically about the actual cost, the actual figure. So that project is going from X dollars to what range through the chair?

So through the chair, we're looking to see if we can bring the project in roughly around $2 million.

Thank you, through the Chair, so I will consistently follow up on that to ensure that, and thank you for already doing it, making sure that only what is critical to safety, to life, and really putting anyone at risk is being addressed, but beyond that, I think you've got some consensus around investing and prioritizing our school sites. Thank you.

Let's wrap up there, guys. Thank you, Board Member Santos. Any further comments? Yes, Vice Chair.

Thank you Mr. Chair and I guess this is the million dollar question. Do we have any projection of how much longer this would be that we would be in this building because obviously you know we can't allow it to crumble down if we don't even know how much longer we're going to be in this building. So there is some monies that have to be spent agreed and we're not going to you know make it you know, invest millions and millions of dollars in it, but safety to life is imperative, as well as, you know, if we allow it to crumble down, it'll cause more damage that will have to be fixed. Does anybody have any inkling, any clue? I guess that's the million-dollar question.

I think that's a multi-million-dollar question. The multi-million-dollar question. So that is, you know, given... And that was, you know, you don't have to answer it, but...

The point is, given that we don't really know, I just don't think it's prudent to not move forward with those safety to life.

Agreed, I think there's consensus for that.

Yeah, so that's just my two cents, so. All right.

Thank you. Yes, Board Member Gill. Board Member, I wasn't gonna speak, but I wanna thank Vice Chair Colucci for resurrecting my inclination to speak. You know, Madam Chair will tell you, as soon as somebody says something, I did like that, and then somebody else said something else, I had to sit back down because 3 o'clock was my target. In all honesty, when the dust settles on the relocation, the disposition of this building, many of us may not even be here. But while we're here, we need to be safe. We need to be secure. We need to be realistic. I know that, you know, I think Madam Chair asked, when did the conversation start? Let's just cut it. There was almost a deal in place. And things happen. And if you're watching the stock market and real estate market and you ride in, you see at one point the sign said sold out. For the new buildings, now you're saying lease, open for lease, leasing available. So things change. So in the interim, we need to make sure we have staff here, we have faculty here, and I believe in trusting but verifying. And I trust that Mr. Perez and his team are not going to be, and Mr. Niccolo, are not going to squander dollars. I have the same furniture in my office, and I'm not criticizing anybody who has new furniture. The furniture I have in my office is the furniture that I had when I got here. That's just a fact. I don't want Board Member Spino to say I'm trying to make his meeting go long. Your filibustering is what you're doing right now. It's raining outside. I would not want us to take a position that we can't do upkeep, we can't do this because we're going to be out because the likelihood of us being out in the next five years is very unlikely.

And on that somber note, any further comments? Entertainer motion to adjourn. All in favor? Aye. 315 folks.